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3/27/11

Mandy of Bijou's Whimsy

Mandy loves to create work that takes people away from their present even if but momentarily. She tries to create images that refresh the soul and fill the viewer with joy. She wants to share her love of color and thrill the viewer with her palette. She aspires to simply inspire and shed a bit of light in a world that is often quite dark. At the same time she wishes to create work that prompts reflection and thought and that can bring attention to the beauty of animals, their plight and the need for their conservation. Her captivating imagery has a unique, vibrant and whimsical style. Using a sophisticated color palette she creates images infused with heart, though, energy and symbolism.

Mandy's inspiration comes from a myriad of things including: music, literature, dreams, spirituality, psychology and the strength of the human spirit. But, usually, her main inspiration comes from nature and the relationship/kinship between humans and the natural environment. Mandy finds so much joy and beauty in nature and in its unique inhabitants and tries to infuse the love, respect, awe and inspiration she feels for the natural world with almost every piece she creates.

Creative blocks are usually not a problem for this artist. She often has her next 15-20 images ready to go and the linear/sketch and research stage of each picture is one of her favorite parts of creating an image. Filling a blank page is not a task but a thrill and Mandy often feels that she is in a race against the clock to get all of her ideas out for others to see.

Mandy is currently working on a body of work for a solo exhibition at the W.K.P Kennedy Gallery in May 2011. This will be her 3rd solo show and is themed around birds. Through her imaginary and whimsical bird creations and a few unique female characters, Mandy hopes to draw a more respectful eye towards the beauty and importance of nature. The highlight of the exhibition will be a large group of “Beautiful Birds”, which is a series Mandy started in 2009.

Mandy offers her unique illustrations and creations as prints in her online shops. She applies her imagery to greeting cards and jewelry as well. Mandy also has 2 on-going series of art dolls: a series with decorative earth ladies with twig crowns which she called ‘Nubbins’ and also a soft stuffie series up-cycled from used clothing with hand-painted faces called “Lagomorph Lovelies”. She hopes you’ll find time to hop over to her blog and website for a visit…and don’t be shy to say hello or ask questions.

Oh the feature looks so good. Thanks so so much. I was sooo nervous, ha ha because I don't have oodles of confidence in my writing abilites and to write about oneself is one of the hardest things, and writing in the 3rd person (is it the 3rd person! ha ha) just seems weird...but ya know it works and it sounds good:D...I think, ha ha. The layout is lovely Lauren and the link love just beautiful....thanks again so so much. I'll spread the post around. XO Mandy

Mandy's work is gorgeous and I can see what a gentle, caring person she is! I share her goals - they are admirable!! and I hope too that one day she will no longer have those goals because the testing will have been banned and the seals can live forever in peace.Thanks so much for her interview and write up - inspiring and beautiful!